Kim Chol-man (김철만; 2 November 1920 – 3 December 2018)[1] was a North Korean politician and military official. He was a member of several important committees and organizations, including the Central Military Commission, the Politburo, and the Second Economic Committee. He was at the forefront of the North Korean munitions industry, the country's economic base. In old age Kim was no longer considered a major player in North Korean politics, having retired from most of his important posts.

Political career

In November 1967, as a member of the first generation of North Korean leadership, Kim was elected as an alternate member to the Central Committee of the Korean Workers' Party. He was elevated to full member status in November 1970.[1] Kim's position was placed in danger following a 1969 purge of military officials, but survived untouched.[2] For a short period of time (October 1980 – September 1981) Kim was an alternate member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea, the highest decision-making body of North Korea.[1]

In old age, Kim was retired from many of his positions. During a reshuffle in 2003, which saw the removal of other members of the first generation of North Korean leadership such as Ri Ul-sol,[5][6] Kim was retired from the Second Economic Committee and the National Defense Commission.[7] He held on to membership in the Central Military Committee until September 2010.[7]